Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Who is eligible for housing benefit

If you rent your accommodation from another person or a housing association and are on a low income, you may be entitled to help with paying your weekly or monthly rent.

You can claim housing benefit if you are working or claiming benefits. You do not have to be unemployed - you could just be earning a low wage.

Housing benefit is available to single people, families, couples, working people, retired people, the unemployed and anyone on a low income. You may be entitled to housing benefit whether you live in a house, flat, shared house or a room in a landlord’s home.

The rules are very complex and a low income can be difficult to define. If you would like more advice on whether you are entitled to benefits please contact the Benefits Section using the contact details on the right, or call in to one of the Local Service Points at Abingdon or Wantage. For maps showing where the Council's offices are please see How to find our offices.

How much housing benefit will I receive?

This depends on your rent, your personal circumstances, your family details and your income and savings. Therefore your housing benefit may not cover all your rent and you may have to make up the difference. Housing benefit will not cover charges for water rates, heating or hot water, even if they are included in your rent. Most single people under the age of 25 can only get housing benefit to cover the cost of a single room in a shared house or lodging with a resident landlord.

Some private landlords are reluctant to take people who are claiming housing benefit in case there are problems with your claim and therefore the rent. In the Vale housing benefit claims are usually assessed quickly and accurately within 14 days. If your landlord has concerns about you claiming housing benefit, the Housing Advice Team are happy to explain the housing benefit process to a Landlord.   

Before signing a tenancy and moving in, you should check which rent figure will be used by the Council to work out your Housing Benefit. You can check this rate on the Local Housing Allowance website. Remember that when your Housing Benefit is worked out, it will take account of your income and other circumstances.